Colby
Colby is a boys' name of English origin meaning “coal town, dark settlement.” It ranked #615 in the United States in 2025. Colby originated as an English place name from the Old Norse 'Koli's farmstead' or 'coal town.'
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how do you pronounce Colby?
KOHL-bee
where does the name Colby come from?
Either from the Old Norse personal name Koli with a word for settlement, or from charcoal and settlement: Koli's town, Cola's town or coal town. Colby is a gender-neutral given name.
It has a casual, friendly energy that became popular in the 1980s and 1990s. The name is also associated with Colby College in Maine, lending it an academic air alongside its down-to-earth appeal.
how popular is this name?
Colby has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 58 years since 1968. It peaked at #99 in 2001, and ranked #615 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #615 |
| 2024 | #583 |
| 2023 | #607 |
| 2022 | #600 |
| 2021 | #651 |
| 2020 | #618 |
| 2019 | #612 |
| 2018 | #597 |
| 2017 | #584 |
| 2016 | #529 |
| 2010 | #280 |
| 2001 | #99 |
| 2000 | #234 |
| 1990 | #245 |
| 1980 | #531 |
| 1970 | #695 |
| 1968 | #844 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Colby fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Colby?
- Colby Covington (American mixed martial artist)
- Colby Brock (American YouTube personality)
what names are similar to Colby?
what names go well with Colby?
Sibling names that share Colby's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Colby
What does the name Colby mean?
Colby means “coal town, dark settlement”.
What is the origin of the name Colby?
Colby comes from the English naming tradition.
How popular is the name Colby?
Colby ranked #615 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2001, at #99, and it has spent 58 years in the top 1,000 since 1968.
Is Colby a boy or girl name?
Colby is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Colby?
Colby is pronounced KOHL-bee, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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